Gallbladder Surgery Specialist
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Advanced Surgical Associates of West Florida
Richard S. Gordon, MD
Bariatrics & Robotic and General Surgery located in Largo, FL, Clearwater, FL & Trinity, FL
If you’re bothered by persistent pain or digestive issues because of gallstones, you may benefit from gallbladder surgery. At Advanced Surgical Associates of West Florida, Richard Gordon, MD, offers minimally invasive, laparoscopic gallbladder surgery to remove your gallbladder without harming surrounding tissues. Dr. Gordon also provides comprehensive after-care services following your surgery to reduce your risk for infection and other complications. Call the office in Largo, Clearwater or Trinity, Florida, today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.
Gallbladder Surgery Q&A
What is gallbladder surgery?
Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is a surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder.
Your gallbladder is an organ that sits below your liver. It’s responsible for collecting and storing digestive fluids (bile) that help break down the foods you eat.
Why would I need gallbladder surgery?
You may be a candidate for gallbladder surgery if you have gallstones that cause pain or other symptoms that affect your health.
Gallstones are deposits of bile that harden and can block your digestive tract. You may be at increased risk for gallstones because of your gallbladder's high cholesterol levels or dysfunction.
Dr. Gordon may suggest gallbladder surgery if you have gallstones in your gallbladder or your bile ducts. You may also need surgery if you have chronic inflammation in your gallbladder or pancreas because of gallstones.
What happens during gallbladder surgery?
During gallbladder surgery, you receive general anesthesia to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
Dr. Gordon can perform gallbladder surgery laparoscopically using only four small incisions in your abdomen. He inserts specialized surgical tools with an attached camera that provides a magnified view of the surgical site so that he can remove your gallbladder with a high level of precision.
If you’re not a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Gordon can use open surgery techniques that require longer incisions to access your gallbladder.
Once he removes the organ, Dr. Gordon closes the incisions with sutures, and you spend time in recovery before you can go home (after a laparoscopy) or move to a hospital room (after open surgery).
How long does it take to recover from gallbladder surgery?
After gallbladder surgery, you don’t have to do anything special to compensate for the loss of your gallbladder. Your digestive symptom can function normally without your gallbladder.
You may experience loose stool for a few days after your procedure, and Dr. Gordon can help you manage any discomfort you have from the incisions.
While everyone heals differently after surgery, you can expect to return to your usual activities within a few days after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and a few weeks after open surgery.
Advanced Surgical Associates of West Florida provides comprehensive after-care instructions and monitoring services to ensure you heal fully.
To find out if gallbladder surgery is right for you, call the Advanced Surgical Associates of West Florida office nearest to you today or book an appointment online.
